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Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* Presented by Stillpoint Farm Open to All International Teams

Last year's riders in the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup. (SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is pleased to announce details of the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm to be held at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival on April 11-14, 2013. The Nations Cup will test a new format for the Pan American Games, which are scheduled for Toronto in 2015. Along with welcoming teams that can compete in the Pan American Games, the Nations Cup competition is open to teams from all nations, including Europe and Australia. While initially it was proposed that team nationalities would be restricted, the competition is now open to teams of riders from any country, as it was in the 2012 event.

"The FEI initially proposed a more restrictive team structure, but when working with all the stakeholders, we reviewed and agreed that last year's team formation was best for the sport and event. We are delighted at the cooperation between the FEI, the USEF, and ESP that has led to this landmark event that we are certain will be a success," said Michael Stone, ESP President.

The FEI, USEF, and ESP have worked together for more than a year to develop the new format to help raise Pan Am Games dressage competition to Grand Prix level from small tour.

Stone continued, "We are doing our utmost to contribute to the development of dressage throughout the Americas and help countries prepare for the Pan American Games. To that end, we will make the Nations Cup a highlight of the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival and plan to host it in future years."

The first Wellington Dressage Nations Cup, the only non-championship Nations Cup ever held in the Western Hemisphere, was held at PBIEC in April 2012, with teams made up of riders from throughout the Americas, Europe and Australia.

Under this year's format, teams can be developed with any combination of horses performing at Prix St. Georges or Grand Prix for the first time in the history of Nations Cups. Teams will consist of either three or four horse and rider combinations. The competition can accept a maximum of 10 teams of four riders each. Riders must receive their National Federation's permission to compete first and then form teams.

Teams can be made up of riders and horses solely from a single nation or composed of riders from more than one country, with priority given to Central and South America.

Thomas Baur of the FEI Dressage Committee explained, "We want this event to be as open as possible, and on the other hand supporting the nations from the Americas, mainly Central and South America, as much as we can, (for them) to take part in the test event and share this experience for further development."

The FEI will award a Baccarat crystal horse head to the top team from Central and South America. In addition to the FEI America's Award, an International Cup will also be presented as well as $35,000 in prize money. Title sponsor of the AGDF, Adequan, will present one of their special Adequan Tack Lockers to the high-scoring rider from Saturday night's class.

The Pan American Games are held once every four years and are the second largest multi-sport event in the world--only the Olympics are larger. The Pan Ams are a qualifying event for the Olympics and are held a year ahead of the global Olympic Games.